Dominica’s latest centenarian is Nora Victor Charles of Dublanc. Born on January 29, 1909, Mrs. Charles expressed her gratitude to God for allowing her to see 100.
Surrounded by family, friends and well wishers, the centenarian said that she felt well except for some pain in her joints. Asked whether she would like to see many more years she laughed and said: “ years,?”.
A mass presided over by Bishop Malzaire will be held in her honor this Sunday and will be attended by government officials.
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Dominica’s Oldest Living Person Turns 110
Dominica’s oldest living person turned 110 today. Violet Joseph of Roseau who was born at the turn of the twentieth century on January 28, 1899 attributes her longevity to God and having lived a good life surrounded by her loving family.
Mrs. Joseph is in good health will take the occasional stroll in the streets of Roseau.
About eighteen other Dominicans are over the age of 100, making Dominica the country with the highest prevalence of centenarians in the world, well over three times that of Western countries.
DOMINICA'S HEADLINES
Son of former Prime Minister named Dominica Magistrate
Roseau –April 9, 2009
Dominica now have a new magistrate to help address the chronic shortage of magistrates on the island. He is Tiyani A. Behanzin, son of Roosevelt Douglas, former prime minister Dominica.
Born in Canada, Behanzin subsequently moved to the United Kingdom where he pursued his legal studies. He was sworn in at the President’s office in Roseau.
Magistrate Benhanzin (right) Photo courtesy Sean Douglas.
Benhanzin, who has not lived in Dominica before now said he was returning to serve the people of Dominica because this was the right thing to do.
He pointed to the public service of his family members including that of his father, his uncle Mike Douglas who served as a government minister, and his cousin Ian Douglas currently serving as tourism minister.
On 27th February 2009 at 11 a.m. a joint communiqué was signed between His Excellency Mr Jean Pastorelli and His Excellency Eric Torner, Ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the Principality of Monaco and the Commonwealth of Dominica, establishing diplomatic relations between the two States.
The signing ceremony took place in the Chancellery of the Embassy of His Serene Highness the Sovereign Prince in Paris, France.
During the speeches that followed the ceremony, the Ambassador of Monaco pointed out that the two States, although far apart from a geographical point of view, shared several points in common, in particular environmental protection.
The Ambassador of Dominica stressed the importance his authorities attached to initiatives undertaken by the Principality of Monaco for sustainable development and the protection of the biodiversity of the ocean and seas.
The formalisation of diplomatic relations between the Principality of Monaco and the Commonwealth of Dominica will also reinforce cooperation in the economic and cultural fields. Furthermore, the training of young Dominicans in the Principality's Hotel School was also discussed.
After the ceremony, a reception was held for the two Ambassadors and their colleagues. On the Monegasque side, Ms Corinne Magail, Permanent deputy representative for the Principality of Monaco to UNESCO, Mr Rémi Mortier, Advisor and Mr Frédéric Labarrere, First Secretary were present.
The Dominican Delegation was made up of Mr Didier Vidal, Minister-Adviser and Permanent deputy representative of the Commonwealth of Dominica to UNESCO
The Commonwealth of Dominica is the 71st State to establish diplomatic relations with the Principality of Monaco.
Dominica broadcasting authority bill not about censorship
April 2, 2009
By Sean Douglas
At a National Consultation on the draft Broadcasting Authority Bill held recently, Minister for Information, Hon. Loreen-Bannis- Roberts told participants that contrary to what has been said in some quarters, the proposed Broadcasting Authority Bill is not about censorship or an attempt by Government to undermine free speech.
In an address to the large gathering of individuals involved in all aspects of the broadcasting industry in Dominica, Minister for Community Development, Culture, Gender Affairs and Information, Hon. Loreen Bannis-Roberts said:
“This Bill is not about censorship neither does it seek to undermine or infringe upon any of the fundamental rights and freedoms contained in Dominica’s constitution. Indeed all legislation in this country must be consistent with the constitution and there is ample evidence that the Labour Party Government stands committed to that principle.
Loreen Bannis government information minister.
“Accordingly, any statement made to the contrary is incorrect. There is no conspiracy by the Governments of the OECS to erase Freedom of Expression as hinted in an article in a local newspaper recently under the caption…. ‘We eh want the law’.”
In her address, the Minister also provided the justification for the draft legislation to govern broadcasting in Dominica.
“Justification for the formulation of the Broadcasting Authority Bill is embedded in the fact that broadcasting is a most useful tool in the dissemination of information and which in turn contributes to the safeguarding of democracy, promoting economic development, gender equity, nation building and strengthening the moral values of society.
Since this tool is subject to abuse, such an activity cannot be left to the preferences and biases of individual broadcasters; indeed the risk and uncertainty inherent in such a course of action could be catastrophic for any society,” Hon. Bannis-Roberts stated.
The Minister referred to the call by media practitioners here for self regulation but noted the “dangers inherent in the doctrine of self-regulation” when she spoke of the prevailing global financial crisis which originated in the United States of America.
Mrs. Bannis-Roberts added that what is proposed in the Broadcasting Authority Bill is a systematic approach to ensure codes and standards of broadcasting through legislation with clear policies specifically aimed towards strengthening and development of society and which provides for the licensing of broadcasting, the setting of broadcasting standards, fair competition, accountability and transparency.
The draft Broadcasting Authority Bill, prepared by the OECS Legislative Drafting Facility, is informed by a number of policy objectives for the broadcasting systems in the OECS Member States. The objectives are:
* To contribute to democracy, development of society, gender equality, nation building, provision of education and strengthening the spiritual and moral values of society;
* To safeguard, enrich and strengthen the cultural, social and economic fabric of the OECS Member States;
To ensure plurality of news, views and information and provide a wide range of entertainment and education programmes;
* To cater for a broad range of services and specifically for the programming needs of children, the youth, adults, the elderly and the disabled;
* To encourage the development of human resources training and capacity building within the broadcasting sector, especially among historically disadvantaged groups.
* The one-day National Consultation on the draft Broadcasting Authority Bill was attended by Composers, Songwriters and Publishers, Performers, Distributors, the Media among others.
Other participants included Ms. Priscilla Pacquette, State Attorney, Director of Telecommunications, Mr. Sylvester Cadette and former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development, Director of Trade, Dr. Eisenhower Douglas.
